Hawa Mahal , Jaipur

                                          🔻 HAWA MAHAL🔺

GO AT THE LAST OF THE PAGE TO GET THE BONUS FACTS ABOUT HAWA MAHAL.

AND ALSO COMMENT DOWN ABOUT THE INFORMATION WHICH CAN BE ADDED IN THIS BLOG ABOUT HAWA MAHAL.

History

In 1799, the Kachhwaha Rajput ruler, Sawai Pratap Singh, grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh ordered Lal Chand Usta to construct an extension to the Royal City Palace. The Purdah system at the time was strictly followed. Rajput royal ladies should not be seen by strangers or appear in any public area. The construction of Hawa Mahal allows the royal ladies to enjoy from everyday street scenes to royal processions on the street without being seen.

Architecture

The five-story palace was built in the form of Krishna’s crown because Sarai Pratap Singh was devoted to Krishna, the Hindu god.

The mahal has a total of 953 small casements each with small lattice worked pink window, balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices. This allows cool breeze blow through the mahal and keeps it cool and airy in summer. Despite a large number of windows, each of them is the size of a peephole such that the royal ladies were not to be seen by the public.

The top three stories are a single room thick, namely Vichitra Mandir, Prakash Mandir, and Hawa Mandir. The Maharaja worshipped the Krishna at the Vichitra Mandir. while the Prakash Mandir provides an open terrace to both sides. Worth noting is that there are no steps to the upper floors but ramps. They are for the palanquin of the royal ladies.

The autumn celebrations took place on the Sharad Mandir on the first floor. Don’t miss out on the colorful glassworks on Ratan Mandir on the second floor.

Contrast to the rich decoration of the exterior, the interiors of the Mahal is much simpler. But it is also where you will find the best view of the city of Jaipur.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Hawa Mahal is in the early morning when the sun enters the rooms from the windows. The Mahal is illuminated with golden sun lights.

Fast facts of Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Breeze

Q: When was it built?
A: Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 A.D by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.

Q: Where is the entrance?
A: The entrance is through the City Palace where doors open into an open spacious courtyard with two-storeyed buildings on three sides.

Q: How many windows are there in Hawa Mahal?
A: There are 953 windows.

Q: Do you know that Hawa Mahal has no foundation?
A: That’s correct.  Hawa Mahal was built without foundation.  In fact, it is the tallest building in the world without a foundation.  The five-story building managed to maintain upright because it is curved shaped.  Just another masterpiece of Rajput and Mughal architecture.

Q: What is the meaning of Hawa Mahal?
A: The word “Hawa” means wind or breeze and “Mahal” is a palace.  So Hawa Mahal is the palace of breeze.

Q: Who designed the mahal? A: It was designed by Lal Chand Usta in 1799 by the order of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.

Q: What is the purpose of building Hawa Mahal?
A: Royal ladies were not to be seen by the public.  The palace was built such that the ladies can watch festival celebrations and all other activities on the street without being seen.

Q: Why are there so many windows?
A: There are two purposes for the seemingly excessive number of windows.  First, when there are windows everywhere, the royal ladies can look out to the street anywhere they want.  Secondly, the windows allow the breeze to flow through and help to keep the palace cool. It thus makes it an ideal summer palace.

Q: What style of architecture is it?
A: Hawa Mahal exhibits a unique combination of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles.

Q: What is it made of?
A: Hawa Mahal is carved out of red and pink sandstone.

Q: Does it relate to any god?
A: The palace is devoted to Krishna and thus in the shape of Lord Krishna’s crown.

     

                                                 About Hawa Mahal

                                                                                       Hawa Mahal, also          known as “Palace oFBreeze”, was built in 1799 as an  extension  to the Royal City Palace of Jaipur. It allows the royal ladies who at the   time strictly observed “pardah”, to be  to watch any processions and activitives on  streets.

Opening Hour and fees                           

                                                                                   Opening Time: 9:00am. – 4:30p.m.

                                                                                                 Entrance Fees:
                                                                                   Indian: Rs.10,  Foreigners: Rs.50

BONUS FACTS ABOUT HAWA MAHAL 

1. Shaped like a Crown Hawa Mahal is built in the shape of a crown, it looks like Lord   Krishna's crown. Sawai Pratap Singh was believed to be a great devotee of Lord Krishna.   His passion became the reason behind this design.

2.The Wind Palace Hawa Mahal means the 'Palace of Winds' or the 'Wind Palace'. It has 953 small windows (Jharokas), they were built to keep the wind blowing inside the palace. It was a summer retreat for many Rajputs families during olden times. Hawa Mahal is one of the major attractions in Jaipur.

3. Looks like a Honey Comb The facade of the building is structured like a bee hive. The intricately designed windows allowed the royal women to watch the bustle of the city, without being visible to the public.

4. No Front Entrance Hawa Mahal doesn't have a direct entrance; one has to enter from the side of City Palace. Hawa Mahal was built as a part of the City Palace, so there is no entrance from outside.